Whitehall lacks the skills to implement AI, says National Audit Office

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Artificial intelligence might save the taxpayer billions and remodel public companies, however the Government lacks a coherent plan to undertake it in the public sector, the National Audit Office has stated.

In a report on the Government’s use of AI, the NAO discovered that whereas 70% of Whitehall departments have been exploring alternatives to use the new know-how, an absence of skills remained a big barrier.

The watchdog stated pay ranges have been too low to appeal to the employees required for the scale of transformation the UK wants, pointing to the truth there have been 4,000 digital, knowledge and know-how vacancies in Government by October 2022.

Contractors and company employees could make up for this shortfall, however come at a better price and scale back the Government’s capacity to develop its personal capabilities.

It additionally discovered the lack of a single physique with clear accountability for implementing AI in the public sector introduced a threat to worth for cash.

Both the Cabinet Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology share accountability for adopting AI, whereas a cross-government AI Strategy Delivery Group was disbanded in March 2022 and solely changed in October 2023 by a brand new physique.

While the report discovered that there have been productiveness positive aspects to be made by better use of AI, it added that the Government was but to look at how a lot it might price to make these positive aspects or whether or not they have been even possible.

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, stated: “AI offers Government opportunities to transform public services and deliver better outcomes for the taxpayer.

“To deliver these improved outcomes Government needs to make sure its overall programme for AI adoption tackles longstanding issues, including data quality and ageing IT, as well as builds in effective governance of the risks.

“Without prompt action to address barriers to making effective use of AI within public services, Government will not secure the benefits it has identified.”

Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, stated: “Government has encouraged the use of AI for several years and there is existing AI activity and exploration across Government, so the Cabinet Office needs to bring together this insight and learning and share it across departments.

“To realise the benefits of AI in the public sector it must address AI risks and be clear who is responsible for the strategy for AI adoption and how it will be delivered and funded.”